Here are some facts about muscular dystrophy:

●It's a group of 30-plus inherited diseases that cause muscle weakness and loss

●Infants, children and adults can acquire it

●Most people with MD lose their ability to walk

This information — which comes from the U.S. National Library of Medicine's MedlinePlus website — may sound familiar.

Perhaps you, like I, never missed "The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon." The annual televised event raised more than $2.45 billion for the Muscular Dystrophy Association during its 48-year run, according to the Los Angeles Times. Jerry Seinfeld, the Muppets, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Celine Dion were among countless celebrities who lured generations to tune in, or stop while channel surfing, and learn about MD in the process. 

Perhaps you heard about MD from celebrity ambassadors such as Rascal Flatts, Charo, Barry Manilow, Alyssa Milano Lou Ferrigno or Josh Groban.

Or perhaps you have a family member or friend with the disease.

Whichever reason applies, help is needed.

Experimental treatments and medications to solve the MD problem, or at least lessen its effects, come in clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; congenital, Duchenne and myotonic muscular dystrophy; spinal muscular atrophy; and Charcot-Marie-tooth disease, among others.

But none of these was possible without funding for research. Help — in the form of money — brings hope.

Knowing this, I didn't hesitate when MDA asked if I would participate in its 2016 Crestview Executive Lock Up. During the event — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Holiday Inn Express in Crestview — I will be "locked up" as a jailbird while raising funds for the nonprofit organization.

From now until then, readers can raise money for my $3,200 "bail" online. Just surf here and click "Donate to me" to make an instant, life-changing contribution that benefits Northwest Florida residents in the greater Tallahassee area. 

Remember: These dollars make a difference. (Click the "Donate to me" button on the link above and you will see exactly where dollars go.) 

MDA's website states, "While jailbirds are only 'locked up' for one hour, the loss of mobility that occurs when muscles stop working — and the limitations on freedom and independence that can cause — are for life."

In Brian Hughes' report on property tax exemptions, Crestview resident Bob Allen says he claims tax breaks because, "Let's face it … every little penny counts."

That's true here, too.

Every little penny counts.

Your support can help MDA find a cure. 

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HOW TO HELP

News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni will be in "jail for bail" to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

To bail him out and donate toward muscular dystrophy research, click here and select "Donate to me."

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet News Bulletin Editor Thomas Boni.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BONI: I'm going to jail — for a worthy cause

CRESTVIEW — Former mayor Purl G. Adams pioneered a number of city services. Here are three of them:

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 Crestview services Purl Adams helped pioneer

Editor's Note: Helen R. White recently sent this letter to all Okaloosa County commissioners, commanders of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and Ranger Camp, the Crestview News Bulletin and the Northwest Florida Daily News.

Dear editor,

Rattlesnake Bluff Road is in poor condition. The pot holes have been horrible. Unless you wanted major auto repair, or you do not mind having your vehicle look as though it had just been off road four-wheeling, it takes 25 to 30 minutes to drive the 3 miles!

(In addition), we no longer have a trash server. The reason, and I quote: "The road is too bad, and it is not cost effective for us to serve your area." I personally have to take all my household trash to the Baker landfill!

I wonder if commanders of the 7th Special Forces Group and the Ranger Camp are aware how their training grounds are being used for dumping grounds. Right now, the scenic view includes old computer monitors, broken kitchen cabinets, car parts, computer stands and clothes. Someone picked up the recliner and sofa.

Added to that list of "not available" services is the daily newspaper by carrier. The reason: Bad road conditions. Service was discontinued several years ago! I do get the Crestview Bulletin twice a week by mail.

(Speaking of mail), I happened to be at the mailbox the other day when the carrier came. I asked, "Is there a possibility of an additional post office on the south side of Crestview?" A resounding no! Then the next statement shocked me. "They are still working on getting these boxes moved to Highway 85!" I asked, "Why?" The answer, and I quote: "The condition of the road. It has a lot of washouts and really ruins our vehicles. It is not cost effective."

There are 75 or more residences in our area. So if this move is made, that means there are possibly 75 vehicles that will have to drive 6 miles, six days a week to get their mail, versus one vehicle  … having to drive 6 miles, six days a week.

How does this best serve the citizens?

There is a lot of excitement from the commissioners about the flyover at Lewis Turner Boulevard and Highway 123, the in-progress four-laning/flyover at 123 and Highway 85. And especially a $21 million courthouse (which could have been adequately brought to standard for a low-end $60,000 to $8 million cost factor.) I read the quote in the paper: "This is big stuff. We're going to demolish the courthouse: bring out our bulldozers, push it away, and spend $21 million on a beautiful, new, Southern-style downtown courthouse."

You can understand why all North Okaloosa County citizens are not quite as jubilant when so many other important issues are being neglected. I feel as though I have been betrayed by the very ones who are supposed to look out for everyday, faithful tax-paying citizens whose necessary and convenient services are being taken away one at a time.

Our representatives seem to be more concerned with what political impact their decisions will make on their careers than the needs of all those they were elected to represent.

It seems they are forgetting the necessary needs of the very ones who helped put them in office.

I am disappointed and frustrated. I only hope my voice will reach the ears of someone willing to take some actions on these matters. That would be greatly appreciated.

What's your view? Write a letter to the editor or tweet us.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: LETTER: Resident 'disappointed and frustrated' with Rattlesnake Bluff Road's condition (DOCUMENT)

Here's a list of upcoming events for Crestview, Okaloosa and Northwest Florida residents.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 things to do this weekend in Northwest Florida

CRESTVIEW — Free tax preparation is available through the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties' Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

If you need assistance and earned less than $52,000 in 2014, contact these sites:

●First Presbyterian Church in Crestview — first-come, first-served: 3-5 p.m. Feb. 6, 13 and 27; March 13 and 27; and April 10. Saturday, March 14 assistance is available 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

●Goodwill Easter Seals in Fort Walton Beach has help by appointment only. Call 251-433-4900 to schedule a meeting.

See www.united-way.org and check under VITA for a list of required documents that must be brought to your appointment. 

Call 420-9775 if you are interested in volunteering for the VITA program.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Free tax help available at Crestview church

PENSACOLA — While much of the East Coast braces for the impact of Winter Storm Jonas, Gulf Power employees are getting ready to deploy storm crews to North Carolina to prepare for possible widespread outages due to the storm that is expected to dump anywhere from 18-24 inches of snow from Virginia to Washington D.C.

Crews and support staff from Gulf Power will leave to help Duke Energy should their customers experience outages due to ice and heavy snow. The crews will strike out from various locations including Pine Forest, Milton, Crestview and Panama City.

“This is a monster storm with power crews along the Mid-Atlantic states already preparing for ice by cutting limbs down over power lines,” said Rick DelaHaya, Gulf Power spokesperson.

“Our crews are very experienced at storm restoration and we are always happy to help other utilities in the face of a major storm. While we don’t train in the cold weather and snow, our customers benefit as our crews are able to hone their skills should anything happen back here at home. This is what we do — restore power and hope, whether right here at home or for our neighbors.”

The last time Gulf Power storm crews deployed was in July 2015 to help sister company Alabama Power after severe storms swept through the area leaving more than 35,000 customers without power in the state, including 23,000 in the Birmingham metro area.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview storm crews travel to East Coast in preparation for Winter Storm Jonas

CRESTVIEW — Cold weather shelters in Crestview will be open.

The shelters listed below will open today, Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 22-24 from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., if the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

•Fridays: First Presbyterian Church

•Saturdays: First United Methodist Church

•Sundays: Lifepoint Church

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview cold weather shelters set to open

CHIPLEY — Travelers approaching the State Road 85 North-State Road 123 intersection south of Crestview will experience a two-phase traffic shift.

During the first phase, scheduled for Sunday night, Jan. 24, southbound S.R. 85 traffic merging onto S.R. 123 will shift onto the newly constructed S.R. 123 roadway. Drivers may experience minor delays while the contractor completes the traffic shift. 

The traffic shift's second phase will occur Monday afternoon, Jan. 25, when northbound S.R. 123 traffic will shift onto the newly constructed southbound roadway north of Turkey Creek and then transitioned back to the existing intersection. 

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Traffic shift scheduled for State Road 123

DESTIN — David Seering's annual Children in Crisis benefit concert is set for 7 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Village Baptist Church in Destin.

Seering will perform with Amanda Holmes and the Swing City Six band. Tickets, $25, may be purchased at Children in Crisis; Lifeway Christian Bookstore in Destin; or at www.childrenincrisisfl.org. All proceeds will be used to provide a home to Northwest Florida foster children at CIC.

Seering, who calls the Emerald Coast home, has received many accolades throughout his career and has performed for three former presidents.

The CIC Neighborhood in Fort Walton Beach provides emergency shelter for children removed from an unsafe environment on short notice, and offers housing to help with foster home shortage. 

Learn more at www.childrenincrisisfl.org or call 864-4242.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Children in Crisis benefit concert scheduled

FORT WALTON BEACH — The 17th annual Camellia Workshop/Open House/Plant Sale, presented by the Greater Fort Walton Beach Camellia Society, is set.

The free event is 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Okaloosa County Extension Service Building, 127 Hollywood Blvd SW., Fort Walton Beach.

This is an open house type event, so participants may arrive and leave any time during the morning.

 Several varieties of camellia plants will be available for purchase. Attendees will receive one-on-one, hands-on instruction from local society members on various aspects of growing camellias, including pruning, air-layering, propagation, etc. Information about planting and caring for camellias throughout the year will also be provided.

Visitors may bring samples of leaves, blooms, etc., to the pests/diseases table for evaluation of plants about which they are concerned.

The society's regular meetings are third Thursdays of the month at Okaloosa County Extension Service, 127 Hollywood Blvd. SW, Fort Walton Beach.

For more information, call 862-4526 or email camelliafwb@cox.net.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Camellia enthusiasts host Fort Walton Beach workshop, open house